About three irmes a quarter we had to give longer Speeches, which took mudi time to prepare. One, for example, was a speech on some political or social matter with at least ten opinions of well-known people. I was expected to give speeches on European problems as the Common Market, on Communism, relations between East and West and naturally on Austria. So we learned to discuss, how to deal with arguments, and how to take one's own stand on important and decisive matters. We also arranged so-called "Roundtables" where we expressed Our views on laws for or against Negroes, Civil Rights in general and many problems of public interest. At first I must have been a rather poor Speaker, but in the course of time my English improved, and 1 even won a Speech Contest of the Lions Club at the end of February. American History and Government classes were important to me too, since they provided an excellent background for my understanding of the people around me. Religion period was used mainly for discussions on: How mudi money does a newiy married couple need to make a living? Should girls study? Why? and so on. One thing that stunned me most was the terrific discipline and the school spirit all the girls had. One was not allowed to talk in classes, and there was no whisper to be heard even when the teacher had left the room. When the teacher came in late sometimes, one girl would stand up and talk on the subject concerning our studies, or we would all control and correct our assignments. We had such good books that one of the girls would represent the teacher, ask questions and compare the answers with those in the books, and when she gave merits everybody, including the tea cher, would accept them. 1 remember that once half the freshmen class was crying, because they were so disappointed about one new girl that tried to cheat. Somewhat difficult to explain is the de-merit System in Americ. schools. At the beginning of each quarter everybody gets 100 merits, these are „Gutpunkte". Now everytime a girl violates one of the sdiool's rules, 5 merits are taken away from her. Not wearing the uniform; 5 de-merits. Talking in class: 5 de-raerits .. . With only 8 5 merits left at the end of a quarter, the Student has to appear in front of the Student Council, and may be punished. With only 70 merits or less, the principal may expell you from school. This happened once last year. Most of the school's rules are decided by the students themselves, and therefore they are accepted. There has been bad criticism of the American school system, but from my own experience I can say that I never studied as much as in America and that I did leam many things I had never even heard of. Still I admit that one cannot compare American High-Schools with ours. But has anybody ever thought that our „Mittelschule" is for selected pupils only, above-average students, while in America almost everybody goes to a High-School? There would be many more details of interest, such as the uniform, the Campus, the facilities, sports . . . but 1 would much rather teil you a few things about Ventura and the family I stayed with. Ventura is a city of about the same size as Steyr, but it looks very different from our towns. The houses are small, but modern and conveniently fumished, with beautiful lawns in front and nice badc-yards. There are streets much wider than ours and freeways along the coast of the
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